England’s Women Discover 2022 World Cup Opponents

England’s women have been drawn against New Zealand, India and China for the 2022 Women’s Hockey World Cup between 1-17 July.

Based on the side’s current world ranking of second, they were automatically placed in the top position of Pool B at the ceremony in Spain, who will co-host the tournament alongside The Netherlands.

They were pitted against New Zealand (WR: 8), China (WR: 14) and India (WR: 9) for the group stage, with all the fixtures taking place at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen.

It will be the third time England face New Zealand at a World Cup, with each team recording one win apiece as England emerged 3-2 victors in 1983 before the Black Sticks gained revenge with a 2-1 victory in 1998.

England and India were in the same group at the 2018 World Cup in London, the game ending in a 1-1 draw. That replicated the scoreline when they previously met at the 2006 tournament, while their only other World Cup meeting saw England win 1-0 in 1998.

The last time England played China at a World Cup was in 2014 in The Hague, with the Chinese women registering a 3-0 win. Prior to that, a goal from Hannah Macleod handed England a victory in the 2010 event. England also won in 1990 and 1998, while the fixture in the 1994 World Cup ended 0-0.

The format of the tournament will replicate that seen in 2018, with the team that finishes top of each group automatically reaching the quarter-finals while the sides that place second and third enter a cross-over.

England will be hoping to build on their seventh-placed finish from four years ago and secure a second medal at the tournament after winning bronze back in 2010.Fixtures (timings subject to change)

• England v India – 3 July, 15:30 BST
• New Zealand v England – 5 July, 18:30 BST
• England v China – 7 July, 18:30 BST
• Second/Third-placed crossover – 10 July
• Quarter-finals – 12-13 July
• Semi-finals – 16 July
• Final – 17 July